No Hard Feelings

Sometimes sports players, coaches and fans get caught up in the heat of the moment and say and do something that they later regret. The reason, sport is a passionate affair. Sometimes the actions are inexcusable and seem unprovoked. It is however pleasing when both parties involved are able to apologise and move on.

At the weekend former Western Force and Wallabies prop Salesi Ma’afu was involved in an altercation with opposition front rower Tom Youngs during Northampton’s Aviva Premiership Semi Final against Young’s Leicester Tigers which Northampton won 21-20.

Anyone who has played rugby will know that front rowers are a different breed and the aftermath of this incident proves that.

Salesi Ma’afu hits Youngs with a perfect left hook that felled the Englishman. Youngs received a yellow card for provoking the attack, Ma’afu a red and a subsequent suspension.

Post match Youngs tweeted Ma’afu saying “@salesimaafu good shot mate go well in the final #rocky.” To which Ma’afu responded “@tomyoungs87 cheers mate. the jersey can overcome us in the heat of battle. I owe you a pint. #respect.”

Now far be it for Not the Footy Show to condone punches being thrown but does this not show that these two gentlemen are true sportsmen and accept that what happened on the pitch should be put aside once the final whistle has sounded? Good to see sportsmanship such as this being made public.